Manually operated tachistoscope



Feb. 13, 1962 K. P. JosLow MANUALLY OPERATED TAcHrsToscoPE Filed Aug. l0. 1959 agg@ United States Patent O Filed Aug. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 832,791 9 Claims. (Cl. 35-35) This invention relates to a tachistoscope that is operated manually to fleetingly expose indicia to view, such as a Word, number, picture or other object.

One object of my invention is to provide such a tachistoscope that can be operated manually and is so inexpensive to -construct that its selling price is within the range of an ordinary student.

Another object is to provide such a device with means to hold indicia on a roll so that individual indicia can readily be changed by a simple movement and presented to view through openings in a shutter and outer casing when the latter two are in register for a fraction of a second.

A further object is to provide such a device so compact that it can be held in a hand of ordinary size and with mechanism so simple that it can `be operated by the same hand while so held.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a combination and arrangement such as is disclosed by the drawing. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes aud modifications, and therefore, I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawing, nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

lIn the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my tachistoscope, showing the shutter and casing window openings in registering position to expose indicia.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View thereof, the shutter and connector therefor being shown in dotted lines in three positions.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the shutter used in my tachistoscope.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, sectional view showing the shut- Iter and connector in three dilerent positions.

FIG. 7 is a topplan View, on a reduced scale, showing the actuating mechanism that is under the shutter, the latter being broken away, and the actuating member being shown in normal or inoperative position.

As illustrated, my device has a support shown as a casing, which may be made of plastic, having a lower or main body section 10 that has a bottom 12 in which there is a left side 16 with two cut-outs 22 and 24 therein and a right side 26 having two cut-outs 28 and 30 therein. A front 32 has a retainer tabV 34 extending beyond it. A back 36 has two slots 37 and 38 near the upper edge thereof and a slot 40 intermediate of and below said latter two slots.

Within said lower section 10 and attached to said sides 16 and 26 are two upstanding supports 41 and 42 which guide a sheet of paper 48 and also support a shutter 70 later described. Said spacers 41 and 42 are located between said cut-outs 22 and 24, and extend above said lower section 10. A roller member has a shaft 44 that rotatably ts in said cut-outs 22 and28 and has a long slot 46 therethrough to receive the end of paper `48 in a roll. Cylindrical guides 50 and 52 are mounted on said roller Patented Feb. 13, 1962 ICC shaft 44 near opposite ends thereof and are within said lower section 10. Another roller member has a shaft 54 that rotatably tits in said cut-outs 24 and 30 and has a long slot 56 therethrough to receive an end of said paper roll. Cylindrical guides 59 and 60 are mounted on said roller shaft 54 near opposite ends thereof and are within said lower section 10. Said roller shafts are provided with knurled knobs 58 at opposite ends. Said paper 48 passes over said upstanding supports 41 and 42, lying horizontally thereon, as it unwinds on one said roller shaft and winds on the other.

A iiat sheet serves as a shutter 70- and it has a cut-out or window opening 72 therein at the rear portion thereof and extending downwardly from opposite sides thereof are two ears 76 each of which has a hole 78 therein.

A connector 80 is made of stiff wire bent to permanent shape. It has attaching ends 82 and 83 at opposite sides thereof which enter holes 78 in said shutter 70. Arms 84 and 85 extend angularly from said attaching ends, and from these arms there extend angularly two bearing portions 86 and 87 respectively which are retained between two pairs of upstanding retainer members integral with said lower casing section, the left ones of which are numbered 88 and S9, and the right ones 90 and 91. Said bearing portions 86 and 87 bear against said retainer members 88 and 90 when said connector is in one position and bear against said retainer members 89 and 91 when it is in the opposite position.

From said bearing portions 86 yand 87, two intermediate portions 92 and 93 respectively extend diagonally upward where they join `a bridge portion 94 that extends between them and which has a projecting or raised portion 9S at a side extremity thereof that connects with said intermediate portion 93.

A coil spring 100, which is preferably under some tension, connects with said bridge portion 94 at the left of said raised portion 95, and said spring extends downwardly and diagonally to the right where it is attached to an attaching portion 102 of an actuating member or finger trip 104, which attaching portion extends through said arcuate slot 14 in said casing lower section. Said actuating member 104 extends under said lower section rearwardly, terminating at a point beyond said lower section in an upstanding linger 106. As said linger 106 is moved laterally to the left in said arcuate slot, it draws on said coil spring 100 thus moving said connector 80 rearwardly to the rear of said lower section. Next, said finger 106 is moved to the right and the above action is repeated and said connector moves forwardly. Said actuating member 104 is pivotally held by a rivet 119 that extends through it 'and through said bottom 12 yas later explained.

Movement forwardly of said connector 80 moves said shutter 70 so that its said window opening 72 appears opposite indicia on said paper, such as a picture, legend, numeral or the like, for a fraction of a second, during movement of the shutter to its forward position. Movement of said finger 106 laterally to the left moves said shutter 70 rearwardly, and again said window opening 72 appears opposite said indicia fleetingly, during movement of the shutter to its rearward position.

It is desirable at times to hold said shutter opening 72 in position so that said indicia, which is on said paper, leisurely may be examined, or the paper moved to th-us present another indicium to the user. To accomplish this I provide a check member 110. I-t has an angular end 112 that is forwardly of said connector retainer portion and from which an elongate body 114 extends that has an elongate slot 116 therethrough and which extends through said lower section intermediate slot 40 terminating in a finger portion 118. A rivet 119 extends through said lower section bottom 12 and loosely through said check member slot 116. Said check member body 114 is slidable in said back slot 40, hence when it is desired to move said shutter to an intermediate position where said indicia can be seen through said window openings, the user draws said finger portion 118 rearwardly the desired distance causing said angular end 112 to contact said intermediate portion 92 and thus move said connector 80. When said check member 110 has been drawn rearwardly as aforesaid, it serves as a Stop to prevent movement of said actuating member 164.

A cover 120 for my device has a top 122 having a window opening 124 that is opposite said indicia to be viewed. Depending from said cover 120 is a right side 126, a left side 128, a front 130 having a small catch member 132 which snaps into a position where it is held by said front retainer tab 34. Said cover 120 also has a back from which two lugs 134 extend and enter said lower section slots 37 and 38.

In FIG. of the drawing I show two openings 136 and 138 in said shutter 70. They are provided so that any identifying indicia on said paper 48, at the side thereof, such as numerals, will be visible when the shutter is in closed position, through either said opening 136 or 138. Such a numeral, for instance, may serve as a key to separately identify the other indicia `appearing on the same line that is not visible except as movement of said shutter makes it visible through said opening 72. Also such a numeral at the side, when it showsthrough a said opening 136 or 13S, serves to tell that the roll of paper 48 has been moved sufliciently to bring the other indicium in the same line to a position where it will be visible through a said shutter opening 72 upon movement of the shutter.

In operation said connector 80 is moved from the position shown by its arm 84 in dotted lines at the left, in said FIGS. 2 and 6, through the intermediate (vertical) position shown, and thence to the position shown at the right, and then the movement is reversed. Movement of said finger 106 from left to right, and right to left, effects these movements. During each movement said indicia opposite said casing Window opening is in view for a fraction of -a second, and the user, during this glimpse endeavors to identify it and tell what number or object he saw. The shutter 70 is shown in full lines in FIG. 6 at the viewing point, that is, where said casing and opening shutter window openings 72 and 104 respectively, are in register.

By practicing with my tachistoscope in this manner, the powers of perception and observation can be greatly increased.

What Iclaim is:

l. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing in a position visible through said window opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism embodying a finger trip actuating member, movably connected to and extending through, said casing, a wire connector movably mounted in said casing, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, said connector being adapted to rotatably move when said spring is moved beyond a predetermined point by movement of said actuating member.

2. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, two roller members rotatably mounted in said casing, and a sheet of material having indicia thereon connected to and extending between and wound on said roller members, said indicia to be viewed being opposite said casing opening, a flat sheet shutter movably mounted in said casing outside of and adjacent said rollers embodying two ears at opposite sides and having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position to thereby expose to view said indicia, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to said ears and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, and means movably connecting said actuating mechanism to said casing.

3. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing in a position visible through said window opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position, actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism cmbodying an actuating member, a connector movably mounted in said casing, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, a check member adjacent said connector, means movably connecting said actuating member and said check member to said casing, said check member movably extending through said casing and adapted to contact said connector during its movement and move said connector and shutter to a predetermined position.

4. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing in a position visible through said window opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism embodying an actuating member, a connector movably mounted in said casing, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, a check member adjacent said connector, means movably connecting said actuating member and said check member to said casing, said check member having an elongate body movably extending through said casing and having an elongate slot therethrough, means extending through said slot and movably connecting said check member body to said casing, said check member being adapted during movement thereof, to contact said connector and move the connector and shutter to al predetermined position.

5. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window'opening therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing in a position visible through said window opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism ernbodying an actuating member, a connector movably mounted in said casing, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, a check member adjacent said connector, means movably connecting said actuating member and said check member to said casing, said check member having an elongate body movably extending through said casing and having an elongate slot therethrough, means extending through said slot and movably connecting said check member body to said casing, said check member embodying an angular portion rearwardly of said connector and adapted to contact said connector during movement of said check member and move the said connector and shutter to a predetermined position.

6. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing embodying two roller members rotatably mounted therein and a sheet of material having indicia thereon connected to and extending between and wound on said roller member, said indicia to be viewed being opposite said casing opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing outside of and adjacent said rollers and said sheet of material and having a Window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position to thereby expose to view said indicia, a support in said casing between said two rollers. and extending upwardly beyond them, said shutter normally resting upon said support, said sheet being under said shutter, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register' during said movement, said mechanism embodying a iinger trip actuating member movably extending through said casing, a wire connector movably mounted in said casing and operably attached to said shutter, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, said connector being adapted to rotatably move when said spring is moved beyond a predetermined point by movement of said actuating member and carry said shutter opening over and beyond said indicia to be viewed, and means movably connecting said actuating member to said casing.

7. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening therethrough, means holding indicia Within said casing embodying two roller members rotatably' mounted therein and a sheet of material having indicia thereon connected to and extending between and wound on said roller members, said indicia to be viewed being opposite said casing opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing outside of and adjacent said rollers and said sheet of material and having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position to thereby expose to view said indicia, a support in said casing between said two rollers: and extending upwardly beyond them, said shutter normally resting upon said support, said sheet being under said shutter, actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism embodying a finger trip actuating member movably extending through said casing, a wire connector movably mounted in said casing and operably attached to said shutter, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, said connector being adapted to rotatably move when said spring is moved beyond a predetermined point by movement of said actuating member and carry said shutter opening over and beyond said indicia to be viewed, and a check member adjacent said connector, means movably connecting said actuating member and said check member to said casing, said check member having a body movably extending through said casing and having a slot therethrough, means extending through said slot and movably connecting said check member body to said casing, said check member being adapted to contact said connector during movement of said check member and move the said connector and shutter to a predetermined position.

8. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a window opening and an arcuate slot therethrough, means holding indicia within said casing embodying two roller members rotatably mounted therein and a sheet of material having indica thereon connected to and extending between and wound on said roller members, said indicia to be viewed being opposite said casing opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing outside of and adjacent said rollers and said sheet of material and having a window opening therethrough so positioned that it reg- .isters with said casing window `opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position to thereby expose to view said indicia, two supports in said casing between said two rollers and extending upwardly beyond them, said shutter normally resting upon a said support, said sheet being under said shutter, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism embodying a iinger trip actuating member movably extending through said casing slot, a wire connector movably mounted in said casing and operably attached to said shutter, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, said connector being adapted to rotatably move `when said spring is moved beyond a predetermined point by movement of said actuating member and carry said 4shutter opening over and beyond said indicia to be viewed, and means movably connecting said actuating member to said casing.

9. A tachistoscope comprising a casing having a winxdow opening and a slot therethrough, said slot being at the front of said casing, means holding indicia within said casing embodying two roller members rotatably mounted therein and a sheet of material having indicia thereon connected to and extending between and wound on said roller members, said indicia to be viewed being opposite said casing opening, a shutter movably mounted in said casing outside of and adjacent said rollers and said sheet of material and having a Window opening therethrough so positioned that it registers with said casing window opening when said shutter is moved to a predetermined position to thereby expose to view said indicia, a support in said casing between said two rollers and extending upwardly beyond them, said shutter normally resting upon said support, said sheet being under said shutter, and actuating mechanism operatively connected to and adapted to move said shutter and bring said two window openings in register during said movement, said mechanism embodying a linger trip actuating member movably extending through said casing, a wire connector movably mounted in said casing and operably attached to said shutter, a coil spring attached to said connector and to said actuating member, said connector being adapted to rotatably move when said spring is moved beyond a predetermined point by movement of said actuating member and car1y said shutter opening over and beyond said indicia to be viewed, and a check member adjacent said connector, means movably connecting said actuating member and said check member to said casing, said check member having an elongate body movably extending through said casing slot and having an elongate slot therethrough, means extending through said slot and movably connecting said check member body to said casing, said check member embodying an angular portion rearwardly of said connector and adapted to contact said connector during movement of said check member and move the said connector and shutter to a predetermined position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

